Springbok Women’s World Cup Breakthrough Sparks Belief in Semi-Final Dream

When the final whistle blew in York on Sunday, history was made. The Springbok Women’s hard-fought 29-24 victory over Italy didn’t just send them into the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals for the very first time – it also sent a powerful message. South Africa belongs on the world stage.

A First Taste of History

It was a win that carried multiple milestones: a maiden triumph over Italy, entry into the global top 10 rankings, and the end of years of waiting for a breakthrough moment. Flyhalf Libbie Janse van Rensburg, who was named Player of the Match, captured the emotion best when she embraced captain Nolusindiso Booi and repeated: “We did this.”

For Booi, one of the veterans of the side, the moment represented years of resilience. For Janse van Rensburg and her teammates, it was the start of something bigger.

“We desperately wanted to make it into the top eight and now that we have, we want more,” she said. “That game against Italy, as important as it was, was not our final act. We want to go even further.”

Eyes on France and Beyond

South Africa now faces France in Northampton in their final Pool D match. Both teams have already secured playoff spots after beating Brazil and Italy, but the stakes remain high: group bragging rights and valuable momentum heading into the knockouts.

The Springboks know it won’t be easy. France are a global powerhouse, but recent training camps have shown the South Africans they can go toe-to-toe with the best. “We realised we were not far off,” Janse van Rensburg said. “The talk in the camp is that we can now get past the last eight and into the semi-finals, and I don’t think it’s a pipe dream.”

A New Culture, A New Belief

For many, the biggest difference this World Cup has been what’s happening behind the scenes. The Bok Women endured a poor campaign last time out, with inexperience and a toxic environment holding them back. This time, it’s a different story.

“There’s a real culture shift,” Janse van Rensburg reflected. “We believe in each other, the coaches, and the management. The players genuinely get along, and that’s created a happy camp.”

It shows. Their performances are sharper, their confidence is higher, and the squad is feeding off the energy of growing public support. Social media has been buzzing with messages of pride and encouragement, while sponsors and fans alike are starting to rally behind the team in ways women’s rugby in South Africa has rarely seen.

More Than Just Rugby

Beyond the scoreboard, this campaign feels like a turning point. For too long, the Springbok Women have lived in the shadow of their male counterparts. Now, they are carving their own legacy – one built on grit, unity, and a belief that South African women can compete with anyone.

The quarter-final spot is already history. But the whispers in the camp – and among fans – are louder than ever: maybe, just maybe, the Springbok Women are only getting started.

Source:IOL 

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